The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-01-26
THE GARFIELD MEMORIAL.
Statement of the Present Condition OF
the Work.
Especial correspondence.

Especial Correspondence
CLEVELAND, Jan. 1S.-During the obsequies
of President Garfield the movement To erect u
memorial to him met with great SUCCESS On
the corners of the streets subscription booths
were erected and thousands of dollars were
raised in this manner, the donations being in
the most part dimes and quarters. The banks
opened up subscription lists and issued certif-
Gates for amounts of two dollars and upward
An organization was effected, and the asso-
citation was duly incorporated under the title
OF National Garfield Memorial association"
In a few months 1886, 900 was raised and de-
posted in the banks at per cent. interest.
Plans and designs were then solicited, and
soon the rooms of the executive committee
were flooded with the designs of the most
noted artists of Europe and America The
design of Mr.. George Keller, of Hartford,
Conn, was accepted and the prize awarded
him
The contract for the mason work was let
for 100000. The excavation was made in
the fall of 1885, and the work began early III
the following spring. By the time the win
ter set in this had been completed, and 1t IS
now awaiting the roof. The memorial stands
upon the highest elevation in Lake View
cemetery, and when completed a superb view
of the city can be had from the tower. The
original plans called for structure 1s5 feet
funds would be inadequate for the proper
completion of the structure, decided TO re-
duce the height sixty eight feet. This change
gave rise To IA great many vague rumors as To
the solidity of the structure, and many were
the ugly charges made against the executive
committee; but as the true condition of things
became known the charges We're gradually
withdrawn.
IL is proposed to finish the chapel on a grand
and elaborate scale. From the beautiful mo
sale floor To the arched ceiling above it Is
sixty feet The dome will be supported by
four polished Scotch granite columns. In the
center, an elevated dais, will stand fine
statue of President Garfield. Various kinds
Of marble and hard wood will be used, while
richly stained windows of a historical nature,
and constantly burning lights of rich hues,
will lend enchantment TO the scene. Spiral
stairs will lead to the tower.
Mr.. Keller the ar, Infect, is in Europe
making all the contracts for the interior
work. All work has now been suspended on
account of the severe weather, but will be re-
summed with energy i'll the spring. From pres
ent indications it would appear that the fin
ishing touches Will he made early in the year
1883
Meanwhile the body of President Garfield
lies in the general receiving vault in the GEM
etery. On dais at the end of the vault rests
the huge bronze casket which Is to be his last
covering The caskets have already been
changed three times since the arrival of the
body here; but when the government with
drew the guards, some months ago, the bronze
casket opened for the last time. Pre-
vious to thS withdrawal of the guards it was
customary for the commanding officer, on as
Stunning his duties every three months, TO open
the casket AMI view the remains The last
time II was opened they say that the remains
We're in a remarkable state OF preservation
Two private watchmen constitute the s,uard
over the vault at night.
Two silk flags hide the bare stone wall and
fall in graceful folds over the ends of the
casket. The only floral decoration Is a bou-
quet of fresh cut flowers, placed upon the
easket every morning by order of Mrs. Gar
field, who is now residing at the old home in
Mentor, some thirty miles east OF here.
FRANK J. MARTIN